AN: Hello, back again, better than before! (Apologies to the Blue Team cheerwriters.) Yay! We're doing Once on This Island for our showcase in drama class, and we present on May 8! Me ghods, it's hard! Sorry for the dumb chapter title. I'm stoopid today. *sigh*
Disclaimer: Characters and anything you may recognize from the four HP books aren't mine, they belong to J.K. Rowling. The song belongs to 98° . (You may stop snickering now.) Anything and everything else? Mine, all mine! *insert evil laughter here*
Dedicated to: CharmedHpfanatic, take care! (Si Ate Wanda at si Micki nag-Trumpets! Ako Circle Isle… ingat ka diyan!) Katana47, my wonderful, faithful, terrific reviewer who enjoys dropping one-word reviews, much to my happiness! And to Sincerity, the delightful one who has probably reviewed each and every one of the stories under my name… love ya all! Hey Catherine, this is for you too.
Note: AHEM! Berna G. in my fic may be quite the antagonist, but in real life, Berna is one of the loveliest people I know! I fell pretty bad doing this because she has me as such a nice cameo in her fic, (well, until the end, I guess.) and here I am, making her all evil and such… hey, she's a great person, okay? Just wanted to get that across.
ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF ALERT!!! *~* FLUFF
Chapter Five: Nuptial
All I am
Draco Thomas Magnum Malfoy was extremely scared. This was saying something, as he had never been this nervous in his whole life. But anyone looking at the handsome, polished young man standing in front of the altar in his best formal dress robes would never guess that he was tense.
Oh, but he was. He was tense, strung like a wire, for any moment now, his beautiful bride would come down that red carpet.
All I be
Hermione Anne Granger stood in the back of the church, clutching her father's arm, and trying to breathe normally. She could see part of the church, but she couldn't see Draco, not yet. Parvati had insisted to keeping them away from each other until the last moment.
Hermione fidgeted with her dress. Yes, it was beautiful, and in a flash of rare vanity, Hermione was perfectly sure that she was just as beautiful.
Everything in this world
The music began. All the guests twisted around in anticipation of the bride. But first, there were the bridesmaids.
Parvati came down the aisle, exotically pretty in her pale purple gown, and on the arm of Ron, who was nervously grinning for all his worth. Somewhere among the crowd, Molly Weasley nudged her husband and whispered. "Is our Weasley hair really that bright, because I can see his hair from the back of the church!"
Whispers dashed through the crowd at the sight of the next couple. Coming down the red carpet, looking for all the world like the perfect couple, walked Harry Potter and Berna Guerrero. Berna smiled, obviously the crowd-pleaser, but Harry's usually bright eyes were dull under his (charmed) neat black hair.
Her bright red hair pulled up into a graceful bun at the nape of her slender neck, Ginny glided down on the arm of Fred. She looked a bit ticked off at the fact that she was the only one among her friends without a significant other. Meanwhile, Fred winked jauntily at Angelina, who was sitting near the aisle.
George was next, smiling brightly as he escorted Lavender, who was beaming as well, having done almost everybody else's make-up extremely skillfully.
Much to everybody's surprise, the ringbearer was a beautiful eighteen-year-old, who walked slowly and gracefully down the walkway with head held high and pillow in front of her. Catherine Guerrero was having her moment, and she was going to enjoy it until the minute she got to the front.
All that I ever need
Is in your eyes
Shining at me
There was no doubt, that the moment Hermione appeared, that a collective sigh rose from the assembly. Draco blinked, then blinked again, and whispered silently to himself: "Damnit, just like prom night…"
Her father was aging, and there was a definite sadness in his warm brown eyes that marked the leaving of his only child. But still, there was jaunt in his step and a smile on his face.
Hermione walked slowly, blushing and keeping the smile on her pink lips. Random thoughts rushed through her head... My god, this aisle is long... Poor Daddy… I wonder if Professor McGonagall is here… Sweetie, keep your back straight, yes, that's it…
But when she got to the front, and saw Draco for the first time that day, only one thought stood in her brain, like a blinking neon sign.
"Omigod… I'm actually in love."
When you smile
I can feel all my passion unfolding
Draco avoided her gaze, afraid of what might happen. But he felt her there beside him, warm and comforting. Slowly, he turned to her, and she looked up at him, and their eyes met, like so many times before… but sparks flew, like nothing they had ever felt before.
She smiled, and something inside Draco clenched, bittersweet and beautiful. He smiled back, eyes warm, and Hermione was, once again, taken aback by the sweet irony of life.
Your hand brushes mine
The priest began to speak, and they were distracted, but as they knelt side by side, Hermione reached out to Draco, and the touch of her warm hand sent his head spinning.
And a thousand sensations
Seduce me 'coz I…
"So this is what it's like to be in love…" he whispered softly, and Hermione giggled. "Draco… I'm rather familiar with this… love. I should know, it's what I feel everytime I look at you." Draco looked down at his slightly trembling hands, ignoring everything around him, including the priest's opening prayer, everything, except the woman beside him.
I do
Cherish you
Farther back, Patricia Patil nudged Molly Weasley. "I didn't know that the Malfoy boy was a Christian…" Molly shrugged. "I'm not too sure about that either, but Hermione is definitely a Christian, and young Malfoy must have agreed to her choice of wedding."
Parvati's mother settled back to her seat, seemingly satisfied. "Pretty sweet of him, then."
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
The minister, a friend of Hermione's father, had a deep, warm voice, and it was this voice that spoke out that moment, startling Draco. "Doth anyone knows of any reason why this marriage should not take place, speak now, else forever hold his peace."
Draco nudged Hermione gently. "May I?" She glared at him, and he grinned apologetically.
Right behind them, Harry James Potter's eyes were glittering.
I will
Love you still
Draco coughed quietly. "Anyone who dare speak up will be subject to the Cruciatus Curse." Hermione smiled, glad for that little interjection. "I'm glad you love me." she whispered, her words muffled by her veil. "What? You're mad?" Draco raised an eyebrow. Hermione stared straight ahead.
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
"Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?" The priest looked towards Hermione's father, and he nodded. Draco suddenly stiffened, unsure if the priest would mention his father, who wasn't there, or his mother, who declined to attend. The priest didn't, and Draco breathed a sigh of relief.
I've waited so long
To say this to you
"Hermione Anne Granger, wilt thou have this man to be thy lawfully wedded husband, to live together in the state of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, till death do you part?"
The priest turned startling green eyes to Hermione, and she gasped quietly at the painful reminder of the dark-haired young man standing behind her, eyes of the same color, and of the same intensity, but of different passion. He still loves me… she thought.
If you're asking
Do I love you this much?
She swallowed, and felt the gaze of each and every person in the church upon her, her parents, friends… Draco… and Harry.
"I do."
I do
The priest turned to Draco, who looked like he had eaten the wrong Bertie Bott's Bean.
"Draco Thomason Magnum Malfoy, wilt thou have this woman to be thy lawfully wedded wife, to live together in the state of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, till death do you part?"
In my world before you
Lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
Draco closed his eyes, and thought of the "old Draco." The one, so cruel and heartless, without emotion, acting on pure instinct and arrogance. The one so bent on power and wealth. The on without a heart.
Till that day
I found you
And you opened my eyes
To a new paradise
He knew he was now a different man, a better person, and all because of that one beautiful girl. He smiled, eyes still shut, and knew that he liked the "new Draco." He knew what he was going to say.
"I do."
In a world torn by change
A collective sigh rose from the audience, and if Hermione was facing them, she would have seen Professor McGonagall wring a tear from her eyes. Draco wouldn't have cared, as most of the people there were Hermione' guests. No Malfoy sat among them, and for that, Draco was thankful.
Still with all my heart
'til my dying day
The priest held out the rings, and Draco picked up the thinner, more slender one, trying to remember what he was going to say. "I, Draco Thomason Magnum Malfoy…" he screwed up his face slightly, and Hermione raised an eyebrow. "…take thee, Hermione Anne Granger, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer…" A snicker rose from the more scornful part of the audience, which Draco graciously ignored. "…in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, and this is my solemn vow."
He took her hand, and with emotion burning in his dusky eyes, slipped the ring onto her finger.
"With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee honour and all my worldly goods with thee I share. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
Draco suddenly stepped back, the smallest of serious smiles on his face. "May I kiss her now?" he whispered. Hermione smiled at him. "That comes later."
I do
Cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
Hermione picked up the other ring with trembling hands. Draco noticed this, and his eyes grew softer. In a voice that would have been steady, she whispered. "I, Hermione Anne Granger, take thee, Draco Thomason Magnum Malfoy, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, and this is my solemn vow."
She touched his hand with the wistfulness of a child, and Draco suddenly had the urge to sweep her off her feet and carry her away from the stares of the crowd.
"With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee honour and all my worldly goods with thee I share. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
I will
Love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
As the priest said those famous last words, the sun seemed to exist only to shine for the blissfully happy couple. "I now pronounce you man and wife."
Collective sighs, cheers, gasps and laughs flowed through the crowd as Draco, in a completely rare (and completely OOC) display of affection, swept Hermione into his arms, a smile on his lips. Hermione laughed as someone, most likely an overeager Parvati, threw rose petals all over the newlyweds.
"You may now kiss the bride." The priest was smiling in spite of himself. Draco touched Hermione's lips carefully. "I thought he'd never say that." he whispered, and he kissed her with all the love he could muster.
I've waited so long
To say this to you
If you're asking
Do I love you this much
Hermione felt the sweet pressure of his lips against her own, and closing her eyes, she submitted to the heartbreaking beauty of it all…
I do
So they made their way out of the church, amid screams from eager bridesmaids, kisses from the bride's parents, and peltings of rice and rose petals.
~*~
"Yes, thank you so much for coming!" Hermione leaned close to kiss her aunt on the cheek. The very same aunt tapped Draco on the shoulder. "You take care of my niece now, you hear?" Draco nodded good-naturedly. "Of course, Aunt… er…"
"Margie." Hermione put in hurriedly. "Yes, thank you, and enjoy the reception." Draco waved blandly as the old Muggle hobbled off to mingle with the other guests. He leaned close to Hermione. "Do we really have to go through with this?" he whispered. Hermione waved to another distant relative and whispered back. "Yes… but we can go in to the reception when everyone's done."
Draco sighed.
~*~
After what seemed like a million guests to thank and to welcome, Hermione and Draco set off into the reception, with Hermione whispering a spell to change her gown into a simple white dress. They greeted people with glasses of wine and butterbeer, exchanging winks with wizards and pleasantries with Muggles.
Suddenly, two very familiar people appeared in front of them, eliciting puzzled looks from all the Muggles around them. "Weren't they on the other end of the room a while ago?"
(AN: I feel like putting an Author's Note here, so… here it is!)
Draco's was taken aback, but Hermione burst into a squeal of delight. "Professor McGonagall! Professor Dumbledore! How wonderful to see you here! I'm so glad you came…" Dumbledore twinkled at Draco, who smiled uneasily. "No need to look so apprehensive, young Mister Malfoy." When Draco flinched at the name, Dumbledore smiled comfortingly.
"We've come to give you this." Professor McGonagall held out a package. Draco took it, unsure. "Um, wedding present could be placed over there, by the cake." He said, pointing. The Transfiguration teacher looked at him sharply. "This certain present requires… charms that we could assist you with."
A passing Muggle nodded. "Oh, I see, you have to program that thing first, whatever it is, right?" Dumbledore smiled benignly. "Exactly. Now, would you please accompany me to a certain place where…"
~*~
Hermione and Draco soon found themselves in the back room, wands out. "Yes?" Hermione looked around at Professor McGonagall expectantly, as if this was some kind of test. Draco unwrapped the package to reveal…
"A clock." He muttered, staring at it. "Ah, not just any clock." Dumbledore smiled, reachign out and taking it from Draco. It was a beautiful thing, wrought of gold and silver, but instead of numbers, it had words around it.
"I've seen one of those before! Ron has that in his house." Hermione stared at the handless clock. "Yes, I believe we gave that to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as their wedding present." Professor McGonagall peered over her spectacles at them. "Now, shall we 'program' this Tracer?"
"Hold out your wands over it, and intone: Appendiom Cognomen and then say the first and last name of the person you wish to add as a hand on the clock. Think wisely, because you will not be able to remove the hands once they are placed in."
Draco held out his wand, and voice firm, intoned: "Appendiom Cognomen Hermione Granger." A blue hand appeared on the clock, labeled with Hermione's name, and it promptly swung around to: Church. Hermione clapped her hands, obviously pleased, and in her turn, placed Draco's name onto the clock, where the hand, silver this time, swung around to meet Hermione's.
Draco stepped back, satisfied, but not Hermione.
"Appendiom Cognomen Harry Potter."
"Appendiom Cognomen Ron Weasley."
Draco sputtered. "What?!" Dumbledore held up a hand. "Let her do as she pleases. They are her friends, after all." Draco sighed, then straightened up. "Professor, have you used one of these… Tracers… to track my fath- Lucius down?"
Dumbledore nodded grimly. "The hand that appears always swings onto 'Mortal Peril.'"
~*~
The day rushed by, with kisses and hugs and congratulations.
"Hermione… hey, Hermione!" Hermione whirled around to the sight of Ron pushing his way through the crowd to get to her, butterbeer bottle in hand. "Ron!" Hermione kissed on his freckled cheek, while Parvati nodded at Draco, who kissed her hand mockingly. "Well, you went and did it, you married the…" Ron grinned at Draco. "the… git." Draco bowed. "Why, thank you, Ronald."
Harry suddenly appeared by Hermione, Berna on his arm. "Congratulations Hermione." she smiled at the bride, and Hermione was surprised to hear a note of sincere happiness in her voice. "Thank you, Berna, and… well, your sister was lovely!" Berna shrugged. "You were prettier."
Harry and Draco stared at each other, Draco with mild interest, and Harry with concealed fire. Hermione stepped in between them, sensing the tension. "Harry…" she whispered, planting a chaste, withheld kiss on his warm cheek. He smiled weakly down at her. "Congratulations." She nodded.
"Yes. Thanks."
Ginny rushed to Hermione, eyes bright and overflowing with compliments and cheer, while Fred and George presented Hermione with a gold-plated toilet seat engraved with her and Draco's full name.
George nudged Draco, who was staring at it with obvious shock. "Lighten up, Draco boy. It was pretty hard to engrave 'Thomason', you know…"
Hermione's parents were elated, yet stopping to ask Draco about his parents. Hermione, noticing the way he stiffened, quickly jumped in. "They weren't able to stop by, but they send us their wishes." she smiled at her mother.
Draco's hand closed around the cold, black amulet in his pocket. "Yes, they do…" he whispered.
~*~
At the end of the day, the guests had congregated in the garden for the traditional throwing of the bouquet, which Hermione had reserved for the end of the reception.
Hermione stood there, back to the crowd, the bouquet of thornless white roses in her hands. "One, two… three." she whispered, flinging it over her shoulder. Screams and general chaos ensued among her girl friends, and finally, Parvati was left holding the bouquet.
She squealed and positively jumped into Ron's arms, proceeding to kiss Ron all over his extremely red face.
Hermione laughed, but then, Draco grabbed her hand and led her to the waiting limousine. They ran over the lawn, dodging the rice and the petals, laughing.
~*~
Safe in the car, Hermione leaned back, tired, yet the happiest woman in the world. Draco pulled out a folder and gave it to her, eyes twinkling. "This is our marriage license, all approved, and a little surprise."
Hermione lifted up the official-looking papers and then let out the smallest of screams.
"Omigod… Draco!" she held up the two tickets to Venice, tears standing in her eyes. "My dream honeymoon… how did you know?"
Draco grinned to himself as Hermione enveloped him in a tight hug. "A little black book told me so."